‘Dallas’ Preview: J.R.’s Funeral To Bring Back Which Characters?

As TV and 'Dallas' fans alike well know, production of the second season of TNT's revival series experienced a tragic loss when long-time series star Larry Hagman lost his battle with cancer. As Hagman had already shot a number of episodes as his oil magnate character J.R. Ewing, TNT decided to move forward with the series by paying respect to Hagman's passing with a funeral for his character, one that was said to draw out a number of past 'Dallas' stars not yet introduced on the series. So who's going to be back?

While fans of actor Larry Hagman will mourn the star's passing once again when TNT's 'Dallas' revival airs a funeral for Hagman's character J.R. Ewing, a number of past 'Dallas' stars will return to put in minor appearances in the March 11 episode. Already confirmed were past characters Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford), half brother Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly), and niece Lucy Ewing (Charlene Tilton), while TVGuide has also confirmed that Deborah Shelton's Mandy Winger and Cathy Podewell's Cally Harper Ewing characters will appear as well.

“It will be funny and appropriate to J.R., but it will also be sad because his family loved him,” says executive producer Cynthia Cidre to Entertainment Weekly. “As do the fans.” It's also been rumored that J.R.'s 'Dallas' nemesis Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) will also put in an appearance on the episode.

Much of the season 2 plans are reportedly still in place without Larry Hagman or J.R. Ewing, but what say you? Has ‘Dallas’ season 2 paid fitting tribute to Larry Hagman with such an array of past stars? Will you watch the new season premiering January 28?